Apparatus and methods for container inspection

ABSTRACT

Apparatus, systems, and methods to recognize features on bottom surfaces of containers on a container production line, detect defects in the containers, and correlate the defects to specific production equipment of the container production line, based in part on the recognized features. The system includes imaging apparatus, programmable processing devices, and encoders. The methods include synchronization techniques and correlation techniques.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to inspectionsystems. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present inventionrelate to apparatus, systems, and methods for correlating detecteddefects in containers to specific production equipment on a containerproduction line.

BACKGROUND

Metal containers are produced on metal container production lines athigh speeds of, for example, 2000 containers per minute. The bodies ofmetal containers such as, for example, aluminum beverage cans, areformed by machines called “bodymakers”. A bodymaker machine may perform,for example, stretching of the aluminum to create the straight sides andbottom of the metal container. At a typical metal containermanufacturing plant, multiple bodymakers (e.g., 20) may feed into asingle production line. The containers are processed as they move downthe production line.

One process step is to spray-coat the inside of the containers. Forexample, there may typically be about 8 spray guns or sprayers on aproduction line. Each container is coated by one spray gun. Thespray-coat helps protect the inside of the containers from the material(e.g., liquid) with which the container is eventually filled.

Another process step is to “neck” the containers. There may typically beabout 15 “necker pockets” which form the container necks. The neck ofeach container is formed by a single necker pocket. Necks are formed onthe containers to reduce the diameter of the top portion of thecontainer such that a lid for the container may be smaller than theoverall diameter of the container.

Another process step is to apply a “rim coating” to the bottom of thecontainer rim (i.e., the bottom-most part of the container upon whichthe container stands). Such a rim coating allows the containers to slidealong the metal container production line more easily helping to preventthe containers from falling over.

The bottom outside portions or surfaces of metal containers are oftenembossed with a body maker identifier which is, for example, a numericvalue identifying which bodymaker machine made the container. As aresult, a defective container may be traced back to a particularbodymaker machine by looking at the bodymaker identifier.

Similarly, the bottom outside portions or surfaces of metal containersare often marked or painted with a color dot such that the particularcolor of a color dot indicates which spray gun coated the inside of thecontainer. As a result, any problems with the internal spraying of aparticular container may be traced back to the particular spray gunwhich sprayed the container.

Furthermore, the rim coating on the bottom surface rim of a container istypically invisible under normal lighting conditions but is sensitive toultraviolet light. That is, when the coated rim is illuminated withultraviolet (UV) light, the rim will give off, for example, a blue colorhue. As a result, the rim may be inspected under UV light to determineif the rim was properly coated.

Tracing back any particular metal container to a particular bodymakermachine, spray gun, rim coating machine may be done manually, after adefective container has been bumped off the production line. Such manualoff-line tracing back is slow and inefficient and does not allowdeveloping production problems to be identified quickly before too manydefective containers are produced. Manually tracing back to a particularnecker pocket is not typically done, if done at all.

Therefore there remains a need in the art to more easily, efficiently,and effectively trace back defective metal containers to the sourceequipment (e.g., bodymaker, spray gun, rim coater, necker) whichproduced the defect.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, andproposed approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art,through comparison of such systems and methods with the presentinvention as set forth in the remainder of the present application withreference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention comprises a system forassociating a defective metal container produced on a metal containerproduction line with particular production equipment of the metalcontainer production line. The system includes at least onefeature-detecting imaging apparatus mounted proximate to the metalcontainer production line and adapted to detect and determine at leastone characteristic feature applied on bottom surfaces of metalcontainers, one metal container at a time, as each metal containerpasses by the at least one feature-detecting imaging apparatus on themetal container production line. The system further includes at leastone defect-detecting imaging apparatus mounted downstream from thefeature-detecting apparatus on the metal container production line andadapted to detect at least one type of defect occurring in the metalcontainers, one metal container at a time, and generate correspondinginspection information as each metal container passes by the at leastone defect-detecting imaging apparatus on the metal container productionline. The system also includes a controller operationally interfacing tothe at least one feature-detecting imaging apparatus and the at leastone defect-detecting imaging apparatus and adapted to trigger the atleast one feature-detecting imaging apparatus and the at least onedefect-detecting imaging apparatus to acquire images and to generate apart-identification code in response to any of the feature-detectingimaging apparatus or the defect-detecting imaging apparatus beingtriggered. The system further includes a correlator operationallyinterfacing to the at least one feature-detecting imaging apparatus andthe at least one defect-detecting imaging apparatus and adapted toreceive the at least one determined characteristic feature and theinspection information and correlate the received characteristic featureand the received inspection information to a particular metal containerin response to the part-identification code.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method ofassociating a defective metal container produced on a metal containerproduction line with particular production equipment of the metalcontainer production line. The method includes triggering a firstfeature-detecting imaging apparatus to acquire a first image of a bottomsurface of a first metal container as the first metal container passesby the first feature-detecting imaging apparatus on the metal containerproduction line, and incrementing a first part-identification code ofthe first feature-detecting imaging apparatus to generate a firstpart-identification value. The method further includes determining afirst characteristic feature, applied to the bottom surface of the firstmetal container, in response to the acquired first image and associatingthe determined first characteristic feature for the first metalcontainer with the first part-identification value. The method alsoincludes triggering a first defect-detecting imaging apparatus toacquire a second image of the first metal container as the first metalcontainer passes by the first defect-detecting imaging apparatus on themetal container production line, and incrementing a secondpart-identification code of the first defect-detecting imaging apparatusto generate the same first part-identification value. The method furtherincludes detecting any of a first type of defect occurring in the firstmetal container in response to the acquired second image, generatingcorresponding first inspection information, and associating the firstinspection information for the first metal container with the same firstpart-identification value. The method also includes correlating thefirst characteristic feature and the first inspection information to thefirst metal container in response to the associated same firstpart-identification value.

A further embodiment of the present invention comprises a system forassociating a defective metal container produced on a metal containerproduction line with particular production equipment of the metalcontainer production line. The system includes an encoder operationallyinterfacing to a necker out-feeder star wheel of the metal containerproduction line and adapted to generate a plurality of electric encoderpulses over the course of every revolution of the star wheel, indicatinga current rotational position of the star wheel. The system furtherincludes a tracking device operationally interfacing to the encoder andadapted to generate a necker pocket identifier corresponding to acurrent pocket of the necker out-feeder star wheel in response to theencoder pulses and to generate a part-identification code in response tothe necker pocket identifier being generated. The system also includesat least one defect-detecting imaging apparatus mounted downstream fromthe necker out-feeder star wheel on the metal container production lineand adapted to detect at least one type of defect occurring in the metalcontainers, one metal container at a time, and generate correspondinginspection information as each metal container passes by the at leastone defect-detecting imaging apparatus on the metal container productionline. The system further includes a controller operationally interfacingto the at least one defect-detecting imaging apparatus and adapted totrigger the at least one defect-detecting imaging apparatus to acquireimages and to generate a part-identification code in response to any ofthe defect-detecting imaging apparatus being triggered. The system alsoincludes a correlator operationally interfacing to the tracking deviceand the at least one defect-detecting imaging apparatus and adapted toreceive the necker pocket identifier and the inspection information andcorrelate the received necker pocket identifier and the receivedinspection information to a particular metal container in response tothe part-identification code.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method ofassociating a defective metal container produced on a metal containerproduction line with particular production equipment of the metalcontainer production line. The method includes generating a currentnecker pocket identifier corresponding to a current pocket of a neckerout-feeder star wheel holding a first metal container and incrementing afirst part-identification code of the necker out-feeder star wheel togenerate a first part-identification value, and associating the firstpart identification value with the current necker pocket identifier. Themethod further includes triggering a first defect-detecting imagingapparatus to acquire a first image of the first metal container as thefirst metal container passes by the first defect-detecting imagingapparatus on the metal container production line, and incrementing asecond part-identification code of the first defect-detecting imagingapparatus to generate the same first part-identification value. Themethod also includes detecting any of a first type of defect occurringin the first metal container in response to the acquired first image,generating corresponding first inspection information, and associatingthe first inspection information for the first metal container with thesame first part-identification value. The method further includescorrelating the current necker pocket identifier and the firstinspection information to the first metal container in response to theassociated same first part-identification value.

These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention,as well as details of illustrated embodiments thereof, will be morefully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first embodiment of an apparatus forimaging a surface of each of a plurality of embossed containers, one ata time, as each container passes by the apparatus on a containerproduction line;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a bottom portion of a metalcontainer;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an embodiment of a source of illumination 130used in the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a first exemplary illustration of the apparatus of FIG. 1mounted in a metal container production line along with an embodiment ofan apparatus for imaging at least one color attribute of each of aplurality of metal containers, one at a time, as each container passesby the apparatus on a metal container production line;

FIG. 5 is a second exemplary illustration of the apparatus of FIG. 1mounted in a metal container production line along with an embodiment ofan apparatus for imaging at least one color attribute of each of aplurality of metal containers, one at a time, as each container passesby the apparatus on a metal container production line;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of recognizing anembossed body maker identifier on a bottom surface of a containertraveling on a container production line using the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a second embodiment of an apparatus forimaging a surface of each of a plurality of embossed metal containers,one at a time, as each container passes by the apparatus on a metalcontainer production line;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of recognizing anembossed body maker identifier on a bottom surface of a metal containertraveling on a metal container production line using the apparatus ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of images captured by the apparatus ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus for imaging at leastone color attribute of each of a plurality of metal containers, one at atime, as each container passes by the apparatus on a metal containerproduction line;

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an embodiment of a binary source ofillumination used in the apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of recognizing atleast one color attribute on a bottom surface of a metal containertraveling on a metal container production line using the apparatus ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of an embodiment of a system forassociating a defective metal container produced on a metal containerproduction line with particular production equipment of the metalcontainer production line;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a first exemplary embodiment of at least aportion of a method of associating a defective metal container producedon a metal container production line with particular productionequipment of the metal container production line using at least aportion of the system of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a second exemplary embodiment of at least aportion of a method of associating a defective metal container producedon a metal container production line with particular productionequipment of the metal container production line using at least aportion of the system of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first embodiment of an apparatus 100 forimaging a surface of each of a plurality of embossed metal containers,one at a time, as each container passes by the apparatus 100 on a metalcontainer production line. The apparatus 100 includes a color camera 110having an optical aperture, and a lens 120 having a central optical axis121 and a capture angle. The lens 120 is operationally attached to thecolor camera 110 and is adapted to provide light to the optical apertureof the color camera 110. In accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, the capture angle of the lens 120 is about sixty-eightdegrees. Other capture angles are possible as well. The camera 110 maycomprise a digital color camera having an array of charged-coupleddevices (CCDs), for example. Such digital cameras are well-known in theart. The lens 120 may include a “pin-hole” lens which is also well-knownin the art.

The apparatus 100 also includes a source of illumination 130. The sourceof illumination 130 is arranged substantially circumferentially aroundthe central optical axis 121 of the lens 120 and is adapted to providesimultaneous illumination in at least two substantially different colorsfrom at least two substantially different corresponding sectors aroundthe central optical axis 121 of the lens 120. The apparatus 100 may alsobe used for embossed glass containers or embossed plastic containers, aswell, on respective production lines.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a bottom portion 200 of a metalcontainer. The bottom portion 200 includes an embossed body makeridentifier 210, a color attribute such as a color dot 220, and a rim 230coated with a substance that is sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. Theembossed body maker identifier 210 may comprise any numeric code,alphabetic code, alphanumeric code, or some other character code whichidentifies which particular machine made the body of the metalcontainer. In FIG. 2, the exemplary body maker identifier is the numericcode ‘52’. Therefore, if there is a defect or problem with the body ofthe metal container, the problem may be traced back to the machine thatmade that metal container body. The apparatus 100 is used to image thebottom portion 200 so as to allow detection and recognition of the bodymaker identifier 210.

The color of the color dot 220 identifies which particular sprayersprayed the inside of the metal container. The inside of a metalcontainer is typically sprayed with a coating to protect the inside ofthe metal container from reacting with, for example, the liquid materialthat will fill the metal container. The color dot 220 allows anyparticular metal container to be traced back to the sprayer which coatedthe inside of the metal container.

When the coated rim 230 is illuminated with ultraviolet (UV) light, thecoating on the rim 230 gives off a blue color hue. The rim 230 is coatedto allow the metal container to more easily slide or move along themetal container production line without falling over and possiblycausing a jam. Therefore, the blue color hue may be detected todetermine whether or not the rim 230 is properly coated.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an embodiment of a source of illumination 130used in the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3A is a top view of the sourceof illumination 130 and FIG. 3B is a side view of the source ofillumination 130. The source of illumination 130 includes an array oflight-emitting diodes (LEDs) 310 of three substantially different colors(e.g., red (A), green (B), blue (C)). The LEDs are arranged in threesubstantially different corresponding sectors (320, 330, 340) on acircuit board 350 in a plane around the central optical axis 121 of thelens 120. Each of the three substantially different correspondingsectors span an angle of about 120 degrees in the plane. The source ofillumination 130 also includes a connector 331 to provide electricalpower and/or trigger signals to the illuminator 130.

The embossed body maker identifier on the bottom surface of a metalcontainer is typically difficult to see under normal lighting conditionsbecause the embossing is typically subtle. By illuminating the bottomsurface of a metal container with three different colors from threedifferent sectors or angles, a single image of the bottom surface of themetal container may be acquired by the camera 110 such that the edges ofthe body maker identifier 210 are enhanced by a shadowing effect. Suchshadowing makes it easier to properly determine the exact code (e.g.,numeric code) of the body maker identifier as is described in moredetail below herein.

FIG. 4 is a first exemplary illustration of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1mounted in a metal container production line along with an embodiment ofan apparatus 1000 for imaging at least one color attribute (e.g., acolor dot) of each of a plurality of metal containers, one at a time, aseach container passes by the apparatus 1000 on a metal containerproduction line. The apparatus 1000 is discussed in detail later herein.

The apparatus 100 and the apparatus 1000 are mounted side-by-sidebeneath a necker out-feeder star wheel 400 of a metal containerproduction line. The apparatus 100 and the apparatus 1000 are mountedsuch that the bottom portions of metal containers 410 may be imaged asthe necker out-feeder star wheel 400 rotates the metal containers (e.g.,soda cans) past the apparatus 100 and the apparatus 1000. The neckerout-feeder star wheel is a last star wheel of a plurality of star wheelsof the metal container production line which are used to finish the neckportion of the metal containers. The star wheel typically holds eachmetal container in a separate pocket via vacuum or suction means andfeeds the metal containers onto a conveyor belt 1380 (see FIG. 13) andtoward a defect inspection system (1350 and/or 1360).

The out-feeder star wheel is the last star wheel in typically a seriesof interconnected star wheels which pass metal containers from one starwheel to the next to finish a next portion of the necks of the metalcontainers. The star wheels are typically configured such that any metalcontainer entering a first star wheel in a particular pocket of thatfirst star wheel (e.g., pocket number “9”) will transition to the samepocket number of a next star wheel. As a result, any particular metalcontainer is processed through the same pocket number through all of thestar wheels.

The apparatus 100 includes a mounting structure 140 allowing mounting ofthe color camera 110, the lens 120, and the source of illumination 130onto the necker out-feeder star wheel 400. As a result, the apparatus100 is able to image a bottom portion 200 or surface of each of theplurality of embossed metal containers 410, one at a time, as eachcontainer passes above the apparatus 100 on the out-feeder star wheel400. Other configurations for imaging the bottom portion of the metalcontainers are possible as well, which may or may not involve a neckerout-feeder star wheel.

The apparatus 100 may also include a controller 1310 (see FIG. 13)operationally interfacing to the color camera 110 and/or the source ofillumination 130. The controller 1310 is adapted to electronicallytrigger the color camera 110 and/or the source of illumination 130 tocapture images. The controller 1310 may be synchronized to a rotation ofthe out-feeder star wheel 400 such that the color camera 110 and/or thesource of illumination 130 is electronically triggered by the controllerwhen a pocket of the out-feeder star wheel, adapted to hold one of theplurality of metal containers 410, is substantially aligned with thecentral optical axis 121 of the lens 120. An encoder 1340 (see FIG. 13)on the out-feeder star wheel may be used to indicate when a metalcontainer is aligned, as will be explained in more detail later herein.

The apparatus may include an image processing device 1320 (see FIG. 13)adapted to process images acquired by the color camera 110. The imageprocessing device 1320 and the controller 1310 may be implemented as twoseparate computer-based devices, for example, or as a singleprogrammable computer-based device 1305 such as a personal computer (PC)or a programmable logic controller (PLC).

The apparatus 100 may include a diffuser window 150 located adjacent tothe lens 120 and the source of illumination 130 and adapted tosubstantially diffuse the at least two substantially different colorsfrom the source of illumination 130. Furthermore, the apparatus mayinclude a substantially transparent window 420 located adjacent the lens120 and the source of illumination 130 to protect the lens 120 and thesource of illumination 130 from dirt, debris, and other materials.

FIG. 5 is a second exemplary illustration of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1mounted in a metal container production line along with an embodiment ofan apparatus 1000 for imaging at least one color attribute of each of aplurality of metal containers, one at a time, as each container passesby the apparatus 1000 on a metal container production line. FIG. 5provides a different perspective of the spatial relationship of the starwheel 400, the metal containers 410, the apparatus 100, and theapparatus 1000. The apparatus 100 and the apparatus 1000 may be enclosedin a housing 500 for further protection.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method 600 of recognizingan embossed body maker identifier on a bottom surface of a metalcontainer traveling on a metal container production line using theapparatus 100 of FIG. 1. In step 610, acquire a color image of a bottomsurface of a metal container, having an embossed body maker identifier,as the metal container passes by the color imaging apparatus 100 on ametal container production line.

In step 620, separately spatial filter at least two different colorcomponents (e.g., red component, green component, blue component) of thecolor image to enhance edges of the body maker identifier within thecolor image and to smooth any background noise within the color image.The spatial filtering may include performing a high-pass filteringfunction for edge enhancement and a low-pass filtering function fornoise smoothing.

In step 630, convert the filtered color image to a monochrome image. Instep 640, determine at least two spatial characteristics of the bodymaker identifier within the monochrome image. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, determining the two spatialcharacteristics includes finding a minimum area rectangle that boundsthe body maker identifier of the monochrome image such that a center andan angle of orientation (i.e., two spatial characteristics) of theminimum area rectangle are determined. Finding the minimum arearectangle may include converting the monochrome image (e.g., a clippedmonochrome image) to a binary image of two colors and finding regionswithin the binary image that are connected together. The binary image ofconnected regions is then thresholded to eliminate the regions which aresmaller than a pre-defined size from the binary image.

In step 650, align the monochrome image to a common spatial archetype inresponse to the at least two determined spatial characteristics. In step660, estimate a character representation of the body maker identifier inresponse to the aligned monochrome image using a trained patternrecognition tool. The metal containers may be randomly oriented on themetal container production line and, therefore, the body makeridentifier may be randomly oriented as well. Having the image aligned toa common spatial archetype makes it easier for the trained patternrecognition tool to correctly estimate the body maker identifier. Aconfidence level may be generated as part of the estimating step (e.g.,95% confident that the estimate is correct). The method 600 is performedautomatically and on-line in real time as the metal container productionline is manufacturing metal containers.

The method 600 may further include determining at least two spatialparameters of the imaged bottom surface in response to the acquiredcolor image and scaling the color image in response to the determined atleast two spatial parameters. Such a step may be performed after thestep of converting the color image to a monochrome image. For example,the two spatial parameters may include a center location and a radius ofthe imaged bottom surface. Using the center and radius determined fromthe monochrome image allows the monochrome image to be scaled to accountfor differences in spatial locations (e.g., vertical displacement) frommetal container to metal container. Having the image scaled to anormalized size makes it easier for the trained pattern recognition toolto correctly estimate the body maker identifier.

As the color image is acquired, the bottom surface of the metalcontainer is illuminated with at least two substantially differentcolors originating from at least two substantially different sectorsbelow the bottom surface. For example, the illuminator 130 may be usedto illuminate the bottom surface of a metal container with red, green,and blue light from three substantially different sectors (320, 330,340) at the time of image acquisition. The illuminator 130 may betriggered by the controller 1310 to aid in acquisition of the image whena metal container is substantially aligned with the optical axis 121.Alternatively, the illuminator 130 may be continuously on.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a histogramnormalization function may be applied to the monochrome image tobrighten the monochrome image and to provide more contrast within themonochrome image. Furthermore, a clipping function may be applied to thebrightened monochrome image to make a background region around the bodymaker identifier a solid uniform color (e.g., black).

As will be described in more detail later herein, the estimatedcharacter representation of the body maker identifier of the metalcontainer may be correlated to a pocket of an out-feeder star wheel 400of the metal container production line in which the metal container isheld, as well as to other features and inspection results.

The pattern recognition tool is trained from a plurality of alignedmonochrome images derived from a corresponding plurality of acquiredcolor images that have been processed through at least the filteringstep 620, the converting step 630, the determining step 640, and thealigning step 650. The pattern recognition tool may comprise a trainedneural network or a trained function and/or algorithm derived from anevolutionary algorithm, for example. Other types of pattern recognitiontools may be possible as well. Such pattern recognition tools arewell-known in the art. The training involves collecting many imageshaving various body maker identifiers (e.g., “10”, “15”, “22”, etc.) andtelling the pattern recognition tool the correct body maker identifiernumber for each image. The tool then “trains up” to output a correctestimate of the body maker identifier when presented with an imagehaving that body maker identifier.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a second embodiment of an apparatus 700 forimaging a surface of each of a plurality of embossed metal containers,one at a time, as each container passes by the apparatus 700 on a metalcontainer production line. The apparatus 700 includes a light source 710(e.g., a substantially point light source such as a light-emitting diodeor a light bulb). The apparatus 700 also includes a collimating lens 720positioned to be illuminated on a first side by the light source and tooutput substantially parallel rays of light from a second side inresponse to the illumination.

The apparatus 700 further includes a beam-splitting mirror 730positioned to first reflect the parallel rays of light received from thecollimating lens 720. The apparatus includes a focusing lens 740positioned to receive and focus the first reflected parallel rays oflight forward to a focal point 750 and toward a substantially concavesurface 760 of a metal container. The concave surface 760 of the metalcontainer has an embossed portion (e.g., an embossed body makeridentifier). A first portion of the focused rays of light impingesubstantially perpendicularly on the substantially concave surface 760and subsequently reflect off of the concave surface 760 back to thefocal point 750 and backward through the focusing lens 740 toward thebeam-splitting mirror 730. A second portion of the focused rays of lightmay impinge substantially on the embossed portion and subsequentlyreflect substantially away from the focal point 750 and the focusinglens 740. As a result, at least the edges of the embossed portion arehighlighted or shadowed within a subsequently captured image. Thesubstantially concave surface 760 acts as an optical element working inconjunction with the apparatus 700.

The apparatus 700 further includes a camera lens 780 to receive thesubsequently reflected rays of light after the rays of light passbackward through the focusing lens 740 and through the beam-splittingmirror 730. The apparatus 700 also includes a camera 790 having anoptical aperture positioned to capture the rays of light received by thecamera lens 780. The camera 790 is adapted to generate an image of theconcave surface of the metal container in response to the captured raysof light such that at least an outline of the embossed portion issubstantially discernible within the generated image. The camera 790 maycomprise a digital monochrome camera having an array of charged-coupleddevices (CCDs), for example. Such digital cameras are well-known in theart.

As an option, the apparatus 700 may include an aperture 770 positionedsubstantially at the focal point 750 and adapted to help block reflectedrays of light from the substantially concave surface 760 that are notperpendicular to the concave surface 760, and pass reflected rays oflight from the substantially concave surface 760 that are perpendicularto the concave surface 760.

The apparatus 700 may further include a controller 1310 (see FIG. 13)operationally interfacing to the camera 790 and/or the light source 710.The controller 1310 is adapted to electronically trigger the camera 790and/or the light source 710 to capture rays of light received by thecamera lens 780. The controller 1310 may be synchronized to a rotationof the out-feeder star wheel 400 such that the camera 790 and/or thelight source 710 is electronically triggered by the controller when apocket of the out-feeder star wheel, adapted to hold one of theplurality of metal containers 410, is substantially aligned with acentral optical axis 795 of the apparatus 700.

The apparatus 700 may include an image processing device 1320 (see FIG.13) adapted to process images acquired by the camera 790. The processingdevice 1320 and the controller 1310 may be implemented as two separatecomputer-based devices, for example, or as a single programmablecomputer-based device 1305 such as a personal computer (PC) or a PLC.

The apparatus 700 may include a mounting structure 140 (similar to thatillustrated for the first embodiment in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4) adapted toallow mounting of the light source 710, the collimating lens 720, thebeam-splitter mirror 730, the focusing lens 740, the camera lens 780,and the camera 790 onto an out-feeder star wheel of the metal containerproduction line. As a result, the apparatus 700 is capable of imaging abottom surface of each of a plurality of embossed metal containers, oneat a time, as each container passes above the apparatus on theout-feeder star wheel.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method 800 of recognizingan embossed body maker identifier on a bottom surface of a metalcontainer traveling on a metal container production line using theapparatus 700 of FIG. 7. In step 810, acquire an image of asubstantially concave surface of a metal container, having an embossedbody maker identifier, as the metal container passes by an imagingapparatus on a metal container production line. In step 820, determineat least two spatial characteristics of the body maker identifier withinthe image. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,determining the two spatial characteristics includes finding a minimumarea rectangle that bounds the body maker identifier of the image suchthat a center and an angle of orientation (i.e., two spatialcharacteristics) of the minimum area rectangle are determined. Findingthe minimum area rectangle may include converting the image (e.g., aclipped image) to a binary image of two colors and finding regionswithin the binary image that are connected together. The binary image ofconnected regions is then thresholded to eliminate the regions which aresmaller than a pre-defined size from the binary image.

In step 830, align the image to a common spatial archetype in responseto the at least two spatial characteristics of the body makeridentifier. In step 840, estimate a character representation of the bodymaker identifier in response to the aligned image using a trainedpattern recognition tool. Having the image aligned to a common spatialarchetype makes it easier for the trained pattern recognition tool tocorrectly estimate the body maker identifier. Again, a confidence levelmay be generated as part of the estimating step. The method 800 isperformed automatically and on-line in real time as the metal containerproduction line is manufacturing metal containers.

The method 800 may further include determining at least two spatialparameters of the imaged concave surface in response to the acquiredimage and scaling the acquired image in response to the determined atleast two spatial parameters. For example, the two spatial parametersmay include a center location and a radius of the imaged bottom surface.Using the center and radius determined from the image allows the imageto be scaled to account for differences in spatial locations (e.g.,vertical displacement) from metal container to metal container. Havingthe image scaled to a normalized size makes it easier for the trainedpattern recognition tool to correctly estimate the body makeridentifier.

The method 800 further comprises illuminating the substantially concavesurface of the metal container with rays of light being substantiallyperpendicular to the substantially concave surface as described abovewith respect to FIG. 7. As the image is acquired, the concave surface ofthe metal container is illuminated via a point light source. Forexample, the light source 710 may be used to illuminate the concavesurface of a metal container with white light via the optical pathdescribed above for FIG. 7 at the time of image acquisition. The lightsource 710 may be triggered by the controller 1310 to aid in acquisitionof the image when a metal container is substantially aligned with theoptical axis 795. Alternatively, the light source 710 may becontinuously on.

The acquired image may be spatially filtered to enhance edges of thebody maker identifier within the image and to smooth any backgroundnoise within the image. The spatial filtering may include performing ahigh-pass filtering function for edge enhancement and a low-passfiltering function for noise smoothing. Such spatial filtering isperformed at least before the estimating step 840.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a histogramnormalization function may be applied to the image to brighten the imageand to provide more contrast within the image. Furthermore, a clippingfunction may be applied to the brightened image to make a backgroundregion around the body maker identifier a solid uniform color (e.g.,black).

As will be described in more detail later herein, the estimatedcharacter representation of the body maker identifier of the metalcontainer may be correlated to a pocket of an out-feeder star wheel 400of the metal container production line in which the metal container isheld, as well as to other features and inspection results.

The pattern recognition tool is trained from a plurality of alignedimages derived from a corresponding plurality of acquired images thathave been processed through at least the determining step 820, and thealigning step 830. The pattern recognition tool may comprise a trainedneural network or a trained function and/or algorithm derived from anevolutionary algorithm, for example. Other types of pattern recognitiontools may be possible as well. Such pattern recognition tools arewell-known in the art.

FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of images 900 captured by the apparatusof FIG. 7. The images correspond to the bottom concave surfaces ofdifferent metal containers. Each image shows an embossed body makeridentifier (numbers in this example) having shadowed or high-lightededges due to the effect produced by the optics of the apparatus 700. Thebody maker identifier numbers seem to “jump out” of the image in athree-dimensional sense, making it easier to estimate the actual number(e.g., 03, 05, 07, 08, 10, 11, 21, 25, 29, 30, 31, etc.). Each uniquebody maker identifier number corresponds to a different body makermachine within a metal container production line.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus 1000 for imaging atleast one color attribute (e.g., a color dot) of each of a plurality ofmetal containers, one at a time, as each container passes by theapparatus 1000 on a metal container production line. The apparatus 1000includes a color camera 1010 having an optical aperture, and a lens 1020having a central optical axis 1021 and a capture angle. The lens 1020 isoperationally attached to the color camera 1010 to provide light to theoptical aperture of the color camera 1010. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the capture angle of the lens 1020is about sixty-eight degrees. Other capture angles are possible as well.The camera 1010 may comprise a digital color camera having an array ofcharged-coupled devices (CCDs), for example. Such digital cameras arewell-known in the art. The lens 1020 may include a “pin-hole” lens whichis also well-known in the art. The apparatus 1000 further includes abinary source of illumination 1030 arranged circumferentially around thecentral optical axis 1021 of the lens 1020. The binary source ofillumination 1030 is capable of providing simultaneous illumination ofsubstantially white light and ultraviolet light.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an embodiment of a binary source ofillumination 1030 used in the apparatus 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 11A is atop view of the binary source of illumination 1030 and FIG. 11B is aside view of the source of illumination 1030. The binary source ofillumination 1030 includes an array of substantially white lightemitting diodes (LEDs) 1033 and ultraviolet LEDs 1035 arranged in aplane around the central optical axis 1021. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the array of substantially whiteLEDs 1033 are arranged in three concentric rings around the centraloptical axis 1021. The ultraviolet LEDs 1035 are substantially arrangedin a concentric ring around the white LEDs 1033. The binary source ofillumination 1030 also includes a connector 1031 to provide electricalpower and/or trigger signals to the illuminator 1030.

The LEDs 1033 and LEDs 1035 are mounted on a circuit board 1037. Thebinary source of illumination 1030 also includes a substantially tubularseparator 1039 positioned concentrically between the white LEDs 1033 andthe ultraviolet LEDs 1035. The inner surface of the separator 1039 facesthe white LEDs and is substantially white. The outer surface of theseparator 1039 faces the ultraviolet LEDs and is substantially silver.The separator 1039 helps to keep the white light illumination separatefrom the ultraviolet illumination and direct the illuminations upwardtoward the bottom surface of the metal container to be imaged. The whitelight illumination is used for illuminating a color feature 220 (e.g., acolor dot) on the bottom surface of the metal container. The ultravioletillumination is used for illuminating the coated rim 230 on the bottomsurface of the metal container. The separator 1039 helps prevent whitelight from the white LEDs 1033 from swamping the coated rim 230 withwhite light.

The apparatus 1000 may further include a controller 1310 (see FIG. 13)operationally interfacing to the camera 1010 and/or the binary lightsource 1030. The controller 1310 is adapted to electronically triggerthe camera 1010 and/or the binary light source 1030 to capture rays oflight received by the camera lens 1020. The controller 1310 may besynchronized to a rotation of the out-feeder star wheel 400 such thatthe camera 1010 and/or the binary light source 1030 is electronicallytriggered by the controller when a pocket of the out-feeder star wheel,adapted to hold one of the plurality of metal containers 410, issubstantially aligned with a central optical axis 1021 of the apparatus1000.

The apparatus 1000 may include an image processing device 1320 (see FIG.13) adapted to process images acquired by the camera 1010. The imageprocessing device 1320 and the controller 1310 may be implemented as twoseparate computer-based devices, for example, or as a singleprogrammable computer-based device 1305 such as a personal computer (PC)or PLC.

The apparatus 1000 may include a mounting structure 1040 (similar tothat illustrated for the first embodiment in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4) adaptedto allow mounting of the binary light source 1030, the lens 1020, andthe camera 1010 onto an out-feeder star wheel of the metal containerproduction line. As a result, the apparatus 1000 is capable of imaging abottom surface of each of a plurality of metal containers, one at atime, as each container passes above the apparatus 1000 on theout-feeder star wheel. Just as for the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1and FIG. 4, the apparatus 1000 may include a substantially transparentwindow 430 and a diffuser window 1050 serving similar purposes.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method 1200 of recognizingat least one color attribute on a bottom surface of a metal containertraveling on a metal container production line using the apparatus 1000of FIG. 10. In step 1210, acquire a color image of a bottom surface of ametal container, having at least one color attribute, as the metalcontainer passes by a color imaging apparatus 1000 on a metal containerproduction line. In step 1220, color balance a pre-definedregion-of-interest (ROI) of the color image to eliminate any unwantedcolor hue from the ROI and to provide a uniform brightness from metalcontainer to metal container. In step 1230, generate a distance valuefor each of a first set of pixels within the ROI to determine howdifferent from each other are at least two color components of each ofthe first set of pixels. In step 1240, associate pixels within the ROI,having a distance value greater than a pre-defined distance thresholdvalue, with the color attribute. In step 1250, generate an average colorvalue of the associated pixels using corresponding color pixels in thecolor image. In step 1260, estimate a color of the color attribute inresponse to the average color value using a color discrimination tool.The method 1200 is performed automatically and on-line in real time asthe metal container production line is manufacturing metal containers.

As part of acquiring the color image in step 1210, the method includessimultaneously illuminating a first portion of the bottom surface of themetal container with substantially white light and a second portion ofthe bottom surface with ultraviolet light.

The color discrimination tool is trained from a plurality of estimatedcolor attributes derived from a corresponding plurality of acquiredcolor images that have been processed through at least the colorbalancing step 1220, the first generating step 1230, the associatingstep 1240, and the second generating step 1250. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the color attribute may include amark of color (e.g., a color dot 220) painted or sprayed on the bottomsurface of the metal container.

The step 1220 of color balancing includes measuring average values ofred, green, and blue color components of pixels within the ROI. The red,green, and blue color components of each pixel within the ROI are thenscaled in response to the measured average values of red, green, andblue color components such that an average of each of the red, green,and blue color components of pixels within the ROI become equal to eachother.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the distancevalue for any pixel having the color components of red R, green G, andblue B is a function of a quantity defined as [(R−G)²+(R−B)²+(G−B)²].Furthermore, the method 1200 may include comparing a number N of theassociated pixels with a threshold value V such that the associatedpixels are not considered to correspond to the color attribute if thenumber N of the associated pixels is less than the threshold value V.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, any pixelhaving each of a red color component R, a green color component G, and ablue color component B being less than a threshold value BL may beflagged as being black.

The method 1200 may further include determining a number NB of a secondset of pixels within the color image that are outside of the pre-definedROI and having a blue color component value that is greater than apre-defined blue threshold value. The method further includes comparingthe number NB to a pre-defined rim coat test threshold value RCT. A“fail” condition is generated if the number NB is less than the rim coattest threshold value RCT, indicating that the rim 230 of the metalcontainer is not adequately coated with the UV-sensitive coatingmaterial in order to help the metal containers slide more easily on theproduction line.

The method 1200 may further include determining at least two spatialparameters of the imaged bottom surface in response to the acquiredcolor image and scaling the acquired color image in response to thedetermined at least two spatial parameters. The at least two spatialparameters may include a center location and a radius of the imagedbottom surface. In accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, the step of determining the at least two spatial parametersincludes first converting the acquired color image to a monochromeimage.

The method 1200 further includes associating the metal container with aparticular sprayer or spray gun in response to the estimated color.Associating the metal container with a particular spray gun in responseto the estimated color may include determining which cluster in a colorspace, of a plurality of clusters in the color space corresponding to aplurality of spray guns, is closest in the color space, to the estimatedcolor. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, thecolor space includes a domain of color hue and color saturation. Eachcluster of the plurality of clusters includes a pre-defined centroid inthe color space derived from estimated colors corresponding to the sprayguns.

Furthermore, the method may include correlating the estimated color ofthe color attribute to a pocket of an out-feeder star wheel of the metalcontainer production line as well as to other features and inspectionresults. The out-feeder star wheel is adapted to hold the metalcontainer via, for example, a vacuum or suction technique.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of an embodiment of a system 1300for associating a defective metal container produced on a metalcontainer production line with particular production equipment of themetal container production line. In accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, metal containers enter the pockets of a neckerout-feeder star wheel 400 and transition to a conveyor 1380 toward aninspection section 1390 of the metal container production line in series(one after another in adjacent positions). In other embodiments, thenecker out-feeder star wheel may not be present.

The system 1300 includes at least one feature-detecting imagingapparatus (e.g., 100 or 700, and/or 1000) mounted proximate to the metalcontainer production line (e.g., on the necker out-feeder star wheel 400which is rotating in a direction of rotation 1301). Thefeature-detecting imaging apparatus is adapted to detect and determineat least one characteristic feature (e.g., a body maker identifier or acolor of a color dot) applied on bottom surfaces of metal containers,one metal container at a time, as each metal container passes by thefeature-detecting imaging apparatus on the metal container productionline.

The system 1300 also includes at least one defect-detecting imagingapparatus (e.g., 1350 and/or 1360) mounted downstream (i.e., in thedirection of travel of the metal containers) from the feature-detectingimaging apparatus on the metal container production line. Thedefect-detecting imaging apparatus is adapted to detect at least onetype of defect (e.g., a dent or crimp in the inside of a metalcontainer) occurring in the metal containers, one metal container at atime, and generate corresponding inspection information as each metalcontainer passes by the defect-detecting imaging apparatus on the metalcontainer production line. In accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, the apparatus 1350 looks for defects in the bodyinside of a metal container, whereas the apparatus 1360 looks fordefects in the neck of the metal container. The resultant inspectioninformation may include simple pass/fail information or quality levelinformation. Other inspection imaging apparatus are possible as well.

Each imaging apparatus (feature-detecting or defect-detecting) has itsown part-identification code. A part-identification code of each imagingapparatus may be modified (e.g., incremented or decremented) to generatea part-identification value, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The system 1300 further comprises a controller 1310 operationallyinterfacing to the feature-detecting imaging apparatus (e.g., 100 or700, and/or 1000) and the defect-detecting imaging apparatus (e.g., 1350and/or 1360). The controller 1310 is adapted to trigger thefeature-detecting imaging apparatus and the defect-detecting imagingapparatus to acquire images and to modify a part-identification code inresponse to any of the feature-detecting imaging apparatus or thedefect-detecting imaging apparatus being triggered. The controller 1310comprises a processor-based device, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention (e.g., a PC or a programmable logic controller(PLC)).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, modifying apart-identification code includes incrementing a numerical value by oneto generate a part-identification value every time the controller 1310attempts to trigger the feature-detecting imaging apparatus or thedefect-detecting imaging apparatus. Each imaging apparatus has its ownpart-identification code associated with it. Therefore, when the bodymaker imaging apparatus 100 is triggered, its correspondingpart-identification code is incremented to generate apart-identification value. Similarly, when the neck-inspection imagingapparatus 1360 is triggered, its corresponding part-identification codeis incremented to generate a part-identification value. As a result, thepart-identification values may be used to synchronize the system 1300.That is, matching part-identification values will correspond to the samemetal container, as long as no intervening event has occurred whichcauses the system to go out of synchronization (e.g., a metal containerfalling off the production line).

The system 1300 also comprises a correlator 1330 operationallyinterfacing to the feature detecting imaging apparatus (e.g., 100 or700, and/or 1000) and the defect-detecting imaging apparatus (e.g., 1350and/or 1360). The correlator 1330 is adapted to receive at least onedetermined characteristic feature and inspection information andcorrelate the received characteristic feature (e.g., a body makeridentifier and/or a color dot) and the received inspection informationto a particular metal container in response to the part-identificationvalues. As a result, information associated with the samepart-identification value may be correlated to the same metal container.The correlator 1330 comprises a processor-based device, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention (e.g., a PC or aprogrammable logic controller (PLC)). The controller 1310 and thecorrelator 1330 may be implemented as separate computer-based devices,for example, or as a single programmable computer-based device 1305 suchas a personal computer (PC).

Again, the feature-detecting imaging apparatus may include the apparatus100 of FIG. 1, for example, or the apparatus 700 of FIG. 7, for examplein order to determine the embossed body maker identifier on the bottomsurfaces of the metal containers which correlate to particular bodymaker machines of the metal container production line. Thefeature-detecting imaging apparatus may also include the apparatus 1000of FIG. 10, for example, in order to determine the color of a colorattribute (e.g., a color dot) on the bottom surfaces of metal containerswhich correlate to particular spray guns of the metal containerproduction line. The feature-detecting imaging apparatus 1000 may alsodetermine whether or not an acceptable amount of UV-sensitive coatinghas been applied to a rim of the bottom surfaces of the metalcontainers.

The feature-detecting imaging apparatus may further include an imageprocessing device 1320 adapted to process images captured by the cameraof the feature-detecting device (100, 700, or 1000) in order todetermine the characteristic feature(s). The image processing device1320, the controller 1310, and the correlator 1330 may be implemented asseparate computer-based devices, for example, or as a singleprogrammable computer-based device 1305 such as a personal computer(PC).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, thedefect-detecting imaging apparatus 1350 may include a camera, a lens, asource of illumination, and an image processing device adapted toprocess images captured by the camera for determining any interior typedefects and generating corresponding inspection information. Similarly,the defect-detecting imaging apparatus 1360 may include a camera, alens, a source of illumination, and an image processing device adaptedto process images captured by the camera for determining any neck typedefects and generating corresponding inspection information. Suchdefect-detecting imaging apparatus are well-known in the art.

The image processing device for the defect-detecting imaging apparatus(1350 and/or 1360) may be the image processing device 1320, for example,which is shared with the feature-detecting imaging apparatus (100, 700,or 1000). Alternatively, the image processing device for thedefect-detecting imaging apparatus (1350 and/or 1360) may be a separateprocessing device that is dedicated to the defect-detecting imagingapparatus.

The system 1300 further includes an encoder 1340 operationallyinterfacing to a necker out-feeder star wheel 400 of the metal containerproduction line. The encoder 1340 is adapted to generate an index pulsefor every revolution of the star wheel 400 and a plurality of electricencoder pulses over the course of every revolution of the star wheel.The index pulse resets the encoder position in the tracking device atthe beginning of a revolution, and the encoder pulses indicate theposition of the star wheel during any given revolution. As a result, thesystem 1300 may be calibrated, using the encoder 1340, to “know” when acurrent pocket of the star wheel 400 is aligned with a feature-detectingimaging apparatus (e.g., 100). When alignment occurs, the apparatus 100may be triggered by the controller 1310 to capture an image of thebottom surface of a corresponding metal container in the pocket.

The encoder 1340 operationally interfaces with a tracking device 1370,which is also a part of the system 1300. The tracking device 1370 isadapted to generate a necker pocket identifier corresponding to acurrent pocket of the necker out-feeder star wheel in response to theindex pulse and the encoder pulses, and to generate apart-identification value in response to the necker pocket identifierbeing generated. That is, the necker out-feeder star wheel may have itsown part-identification code as well. As a result, a necker pocket maybe correlated to a metal container by way of matchingpart-identification values. That is, correlator 1330 is further adaptedto receive the necker pocket identifier and correlate the receivednecker pocket identifier to a particular metal container in response tothe value of the part-identification code. Alternatively, when thefeature-detecting imaging apparatus (e.g., 100) is triggered to acquirean image, the part-identification value that is generated for thatacquisition is associated with the current necker pocket identifier. Theimage processing device 1320, the controller 1310, the correlator 1330,and the tracking device 1370 may be implemented as separatecomputer-based devices, for example, or as a single programmablecomputer-based device 1305 such as a personal computer (PC) or aprogrammable logic device (PLC), for example.

The system 1300 may further include a sensor 1390 mounted proximate tothe out-feeder star wheel 400. The sensor 1390 operationally interfacesto the controller 1310 and is adapted to detect a presence (or absence)of a metal container in a current pocket of the star wheel. Apart-identification code may be modified in response to the sensor 1390detecting an absence of a metal container in the current pocket of thestar wheel 400 when the feature-detecting imaging apparatus fails toacquire an image for that same current pocket. For example, thepart-identification code, that is incremented when the body makeridentifier imaging apparatus 100 is triggered, may be decremented if thesensor 1380 determines that there was no metal container present in thatcurrent pocket. This helps prevent the system 1300 from going out ofsynchronization, as will be explained in more detail later herein.

However, under normal conditions, the feature-detecting imagingapparatus (e.g., 100) is further adapted to determine if a metalcontainer is missing from the metal container production line as themetal containers pass by the feature-detecting imaging apparatus on themetal container production line. If a metal container is determined tobe missing in a current pocket of the star wheel, for example, thecorresponding part-identification code may be decremented by thecontroller 1310 to account for the missing container, thereby preventingthe system 1300 from going out of synchronization.

As part of a re-synchronization process, the controller 1310 is furtheradapted to reset the part-identification codes, associated with all theimaging apparatus and/or out-feeder star wheel, to an initial value inresponse to the feature-detecting imaging apparatus determining that aconsecutive number of metal containers are missing from the metalcontainer production line. Such a re-synchronization process isexplained later herein in more detail with respect to the methodsimplemented using the system 1300.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a first exemplary embodiment of at least aportion of a method 1400 of associating a defective metal containerproduced on a metal container production line with particular productionequipment of the metal container production line using at least aportion of the system 1300 of FIG. 13. In step 1410, trigger a firstfeature-detecting imaging apparatus to acquire a first image of a bottomsurface of a first metal container as the first metal container passesby the first feature-detecting imaging apparatus on the metal containerproduction line, and increment a first part-identification code of thefirst feature-detecting imaging apparatus to generate a firstpart-identification value. In step 1420, determine a firstcharacteristic feature, applied to the bottom surface of the first metalcontainer, in response to the acquired first image, and associate thedetermined first characteristic feature for the first metal containerwith the first part-identification value.

In step 1430, trigger a first defect-detecting imaging apparatus toacquire a second image of the first metal container as the first metalcontainer passes by the first defect-detecting imaging apparatus on themetal container production line, and increment a secondpart-identification code of the first defect-detecting imaging apparatusto generate the same first part-identification value. In step 1440,detect any of a first type of defect occurring in the first metalcontainer in response to the acquired second image, generatecorresponding first inspection information, and associate the firstinspection information for the first metal container with the same firstpart-identification value. In step 1450, correlate the firstcharacteristic feature and the first inspection information to the firstmetal container in response to the associated same firstpart-identification value. The method 1400 is performed automaticallyand on-line in real time as the metal container production line ismanufacturing metal containers.

As an example, referring to FIG. 13, a first metal container on thenecker out-feeder star wheel 400 becomes aligned with the body makeridentifier imaging apparatus 100 such that the apparatus 100 istriggered by the controller 1310 to acquire a first image of the bottomsurface of the first metal container. The part-identification codeassociated with the apparatus 100 is incremented within the controller1310 from a value of “0000” to a value of “0001”. The image processingdevice 1320 receives the acquired first image and determines a bodymaker identifier having a numeric value of “52” from the image. As thefirst metal container progresses around the out-feeder star wheel 400and onto the conveyor belt 1380, the first metal container encountersthe interior inspection imaging apparatus 1350 such that the apparatus1350 is triggered by the controller 1310 to acquire a second image ofthe interior of the first metal container. The part-identification codeassociated with the apparatus 1350 is incremented within the controller1310 from a value of “0000” to a value of “0001”. The image processingdevice 1320 receives the acquired second image and generatescorresponding inspection information (e.g., a “fail” condition). Thecorrelator 1330 then receives the inspection information and the bodymaker identifier from the image processing device 1320, each tagged withthe same part-identification value of “0001”, and correlates theinspection information (of a “fail” condition) and the body makeridentifier (of “52”) to the same first metal container. As a result, thesystem now “knows” which body maker machine (based on the correlatedbody maker identifier) created the defect resulting in the “fail”condition. The “fail” condition may be added to a set of statisticsbeing gathered for the metal container production line and thestatistics may be displayed. In this way, an operator may view thedisplayed statistics as the metal container production line continues torun and gather statistics for other metal containers and determine if aparticular machine or machines are causing an unacceptable number ofdefects. In general, correlated information for the metal containers maybe accumulated into statistical data and displayed to an operator on adisplay in order to determine which specific production equipment on themetal container production line are introducing defects into the metalcontainers.

The method 1400 may further include generating a first necker pocketidentifier corresponding to a current pocket of a necker out-feeder starwheel holding the first metal container and associating the first neckerpocket identifier for the first metal container with the firstpart-identification value; and correlating the first characteristicfeature, the first inspection information, and the first necker pocketidentifier to the first metal container in response to the associatedsame first part-identification value.

Continuing with the example, when the body maker identifier imagingapparatus 100 is triggered by the controller 1310, the controller 1310captures the decoded necker pocket identifier (e.g., having a numericvalue of “9”) which is generated by the tracking device 1370 in responseto the encoder pulses from the encoder 1340. The system 1300 isconfigured and calibrated such that the captured necker pocketidentifier corresponds to the current necker pocket holding the firstmetal container over the imaging apparatus 100. As a result, thecaptured necker pocket identifier is associated with the incrementedpart-identification value for the imaging apparatus 100. Alternatively,the necker out-feeder star wheel 400 may have its ownpart-identification code associated with it in the controller 1310 ortracking device 1370 and which is incremented to a value of “0001” whenthe necker pocket identifier is captured by the controller 1310. Thecorrelator 1330 may then correlate the body maker identifier of “52”,the inspection “fail” condition, and the necker pocket number “9” to thefirst metal container based on the “common” first part-identificationvalue of “0001”.

The method 1400 may further include triggering a secondfeature-detecting imaging apparatus to acquire a third image of thebottom surface of the first metal container as the first metal containerpasses by the second feature-detecting imaging apparatus on the metalcontainer production line, and incrementing a third part-identificationcode of the second feature-detecting imaging apparatus to generate thesame first part identification value; determining a secondcharacteristic feature, applied to the bottom surface of the first metalcontainer, in response to the acquired third image, and associating thedetermined second characteristic feature for the first metal containerwith the same first part-identification value; and correlating the firstcharacteristic feature, the second characteristic feature, the firstnecker pocket identifier, and the first inspection information to thefirst metal container in response to the associated same firstpart-identification value.

Continuing with the example, the second feature-detecting imagingapparatus may comprise the color-dot/UV imaging apparatus 1000 fordetecting color attributes and is mounted on or proximate to the neckerout-feeder star wheel 400. Referring to FIG. 13, the imaging apparatus1000 is triggered when the first metal container becomes substantiallyaligned with the apparatus 1000 and acquires a third image of the bottomsurface of the first metal container. This third image is actuallyacquired in time before the second image, previously discussed, isacquired by the first defect-detecting imaging apparatus 1350 since theapparatus 1000 is upstream from the apparatus 1350. The apparatus 1000has its own part-identification code associated with it which getsincremented from a value of “0000” to “0001” when the apparatus 1000acquires the third image.

The image processing device 1320 processes the acquired third image anddetermines, for example, that a color dot on the bottom surface of thefirst metal container is substantially “blue” and was, therefore,sprayed by a particular sprayer gun. As before, because of the “common”part-identification value of “0001”, the correlator 1330 may correlatethe first characteristic feature “52”, the second characteristic feature“blue”, the necker pocket number “9”, and the first inspectioninformation “fail” to the first metal container in response to theassociated same first part-identification value “0001”. Furthermore, theimage processing device 1320 may determine that a UV-sensitive rimcoating on the rim of the bottom surface of the first metal container isinsufficient (i.e., a “fail” condition on the rim coating). Thecondition of the insufficient rim coating will also be associated withthe part-identification value of “0001” and, therefore, correlated tothe first metal container.

The method 1400 may further include triggering a second defect-detectingimaging apparatus to acquire a fourth image of the first metal containeras the first metal container passes by the second defect-detectingimaging apparatus on the metal container production line, andincrementing a fourth part-identification code of the seconddefect-detecting imaging apparatus to generate the same firstpart-identification value; detecting any of a second type of defectoccurring in the first metal container in response to the acquiredfourth image, generating corresponding second inspection information,and associating the second inspection information for the first metalcontainer with the same first part-identification value; and correlatingthe first characteristic feature, the second characteristic feature, thefirst inspection information, the second inspection information, and thefirst necker pocket identifier to the first metal container in responseto the associated same first part-identification value.

Continuing with the example, as the first metal container progresses onthe metal container production line and becomes substantially alignedwith the neck inspection imaging apparatus 1360, the apparatus 1360 istriggered by the controller 1310 to acquire a fourth image of the neckregion of the first metal container. The part-identification codeassociated with the apparatus 1360 is incremented within the controller1310 from a value of “0000” to a value of “0001”. The image processingdevice 1320 receives the acquired fourth image and generatescorresponding second inspection information (e.g., a “pass” condition).The correlator 1330 receives the second inspection information “pass”,the first inspection information “fail”, the body maker identifier “52”,the color dot information “blue”, and the necker pocket number “9” fromthe image processing device 1320, each tagged with the samepart-identification value of “0001”, and correlates all of these to thesame first metal container. As a result, the system has determined abody maker identifier, a color dot, any interior defects, any neckdefects, as well as a necker pocket for the first metal containerbecause each of these results are associated with a samepart-identification value. If a defect in the neck of the first metalcontainer had been detected by the defect-detecting imaging apparatus1360, the system 1300 would “know” that it was necker pocket number “9”of the out-feeder star wheel 400 and, therefore, of all the star wheels,which produced the defect, since any given metal container is processedthrough the same pocket number on all the necker star wheels of themetal container production line.

Similarly, the method 1400 may be repeated for subsequent metalcontainers coming after the first metal container on the metal containerproduction line. That is, a second metal container, a third metalcontainer, a fourth metal container, etc. For example, when a next(i.e., second) metal container encounters any of the feature detectingimaging apparatus (e.g., 100, 700, or 1000 for example in pocket number“10” of the out-feeder star wheel), and any of the defect-detectingimaging apparatus (e.g., 1350, 1360), each correspondingpart-identification code for the particular imaging apparatus will beincremented from a first part-identification value of “0001” to a secondpart-identification value of “0002” indicating that the acquired imagescorrespond to a second metal container. Therefore, any features,inspection information, and necker pocket identifier determined for thesecond metal container will be correlated to the second metal containerbased on the “common” part-identification value “0002”.

If, however, the feature-detecting imaging apparatus (e.g., 100) doesnot detect a second metal container in pocket number “10” in response tothe acquired image, then the part-identification code for the apparatus100 is decremented from a value of “0002” to a value of “0001” in orderto keep the system 1300 in synchronization. Also, if thefeature-detecting imaging apparatus (e.g., 100) fails to trigger andacquire an image (even though its part-identification code has beenincremented to a value of “0002”), and the sensor 1390 detects that ametal container is missing from pocket number “10”, then thepart-identification code for the apparatus 100 is decremented from avalue of “0002” to a value of “0001” in order to keep the system 1300 insynchronization.

If a metal container on a metal container production line is imaged by afeature-detecting imaging apparatus (e.g., 100, 700, or 1000) and themetal container unintentionally falls off the line or is intentionallypulled off the line before the metal container reaches adefect-detecting imaging apparatus (e.g., 1350 or 1360), then the system1300 will go out of synchronization. That is, the part-identificationnumbers will no longer correlate to the correct metal containers betweenthe feature-detecting imaging apparatus and the defect-detecting imagingapparatus.

When the system 1300 goes out of synchronization, a re-synchronizationsignal or command may be generated to initiate re-synchronization of thesystem 1300. For example, an operator may press a button or select are-sync icon on a display to initiate re-synchronization. When there-synchronization signal or command is generated, a pre-determinednumber (e.g. “64”) of contiguous metal container positions from aportion of the metal container production line are automaticallyun-populated (i.e., no metal containers in those positions) in responseto the re-synchronization signal or command. Furthermore, allpart-identification codes are reset to the same initialpart-identification code (e.g., “0000”) in response to the un-populatedpre-determined number of contiguous metal container positions travelingthrough the metal container production line. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the first feature-detecting imagingapparatus (e.g., 100) determines when the un-populated pre-determinednumber of contiguous metal container positions have passed through themetal container production line. Subsequently, metal containerstraveling on the metal container production line will be processed onceagain in synchronization such that proper correlation may be performedas described herein.

As an alternative or in addition, re-synchronization may be initiatedwhen at least a pre-determined number (e.g., “64”) of contiguousun-populated metal container positions from a portion of the metalcontainer production line are detected or determined by, for example,the first feature-detecting imaging apparatus (e.g., 100). In otherwords, no separate initiation of re-synchronization is performed by anoperator. The fact that at least a pre-determined number of contiguousun-populated metal container positions are detected is enough toinitiate re-synchronization. There are often times on a metal containerproduction line when, for one reason or another, at least a certainnumber of metal containers are missing from the production line.Therefore, re-synchronization may be initiated simply by thedetermination that the containers are missing. In such are-synchronization process, after determination of the missingcontainers, all part-identification codes are reset to the same initialpart-identification code (e.g., “0000”) in response to the un-populatedpre-determined number of contiguous metal container positions, or more,traveling through the metal container production line.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, variousimaging apparatus may be present or absent from the system 1300. Forexample, the system may include no feature-detecting imaging apparatusand only one defect-detecting imaging apparatus (e.g., the neckerimaging apparatus 1360). As a result, inspection information from thedefect-detecting imaging apparatus is correlated to a necker pocket fora particular metal container. Methods of using such an exemplary systemare described herein below.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a second exemplary embodiment of at least aportion of a method 1500 of associating a defective metal containerproduced on a metal container production line with particular productionequipment of the metal container production line using at least aportion of the system 1300 of FIG. 13. In step 1510, generate a currentnecker pocket identifier corresponding to a current pocket of a neckerout-feeder star wheel holding a first metal container and increment afirst part-identification code of the necker out-feeder star wheel togenerate a first part-identification value, and associate the first partidentification value with the current necker pocket identifier. In step1520, trigger a first defect-detecting imaging apparatus to acquire afirst image of the first metal container as the first metal containerpasses by the first defect-detecting imaging apparatus on the metalcontainer production line, and increment a second part-identificationcode of the first defect-detecting imaging apparatus to generate thesame first part-identification value.

In step 1530, detect any of a first type of defect occurring in thefirst metal container in response to the acquired first image, generatecorresponding first inspection information, and associate the firstinspection information for the first metal container with the same firstpart-identification value. In step 1540, correlate the current neckerpocket identifier and the first inspection information to the firstmetal container in response to the associated same firstpart-identification value. The method 1500 is performed automaticallyand on-line in real time as the metal container production line ismanufacturing metal containers.

For example, referring to FIG. 13, only one imaging apparatus (e.g.,1360) may be present in an embodiment for detecting neck defects. Thecontroller 1310 captures the decoded necker pocket identifier (e.g.,having a numeric value of “15”) which is generated by the trackingdevice 1370 in response to the encoder pulses from the encoder 1340.When the necker pocket identifier is captured, its correspondingpart-identification code is incremented by the controller 1310 from apart-identification value of “0000” to a part-identification value of“0001”. The system 1300 is configured and calibrated such that thecaptured necker pocket identifier corresponds to the necker pocketholding the first metal container in the necker out-feeder star wheel400. As a result, the captured necker pocket identifier is associatedwith the incremented part-identification value “0001” for the star wheel400.

When the first metal container reaches the defect-imaging apparatus 1360(neck inspection apparatus), a first image is acquired and thepart-identification code of the apparatus 1360 is incremented from avalue of “0000” to a value of “0001”. The image processing device 1320processes the first acquired image and generates first inspectioninformation corresponding to, for example, a defect (a “fail” condition)in the first metal container. Again, the inspection information mayinclude pass/fail information and/or quality information. An example ofquality information is a size of the defect.

The correlator 1330 may then correlate the first inspection result(e.g., “fail”) and the necker pocket number “15” to the first metalcontainer based on the “common” first part-identification value of“0001”. As a result, the system 1300, having only one imaging apparatus1360, “knows” which necker pocket of the necker star wheels isresponsible for creating the defect in the first metal container.

In another embodiment, the system may include both the defect-detectingimaging apparatus 1360 and the defect-detecting imaging apparatus 1350,but no feature-detecting imaging apparatus on the out-feeder star wheel400. As a result, first inspection information, second inspectioninformation, and necker pocket may be correlated to the first metalcontainer based on the “common” part-identification value using thesynchronization processes described herein. Similarly, the method 1500may be repeated for subsequent metal containers coming after the firstmetal container on the metal container production line. That is, asecond metal container, a third metal container, a fourth metalcontainer, etc.

Again, if a metal container is intentionally or unintentionallyeliminated from the production line (e.g., the out-feeder star wheel orthe first part of the conveyor 1380) before reaching a defect-detectingimaging apparatus and causing the system 1300 to go out ofsynchronization, the re-synchronization process may be initiated. Again,a pre-determined number of contiguous metal container positions areun-populated on the metal container production line in response to agenerated re-synchronization signal and all part-identification codesare reset when the pre-determined number of contiguous un-populatedmetal container positions pass through the metal container productionline. However, in embodiments where there is no feature-detectingimaging apparatus (e.g., 100) on or adjacent to the out-feeder starwheel 400, the sensor 1390 determines when the un-populatedpre-determined number of contiguous metal container positions havepassed through the metal container production line. Subsequently, metalcontainers traveling on the metal container production line will beprocessed once again in synchronization such that proper correlation maybe performed as described herein.

Again, correlated information for the metal containers may beaccumulated into statistical data and displayed to an operator on adisplay in order to determine which specific production equipment on themetal container production line are introducing defects into the metalcontainers.

In summary, apparatus, systems, and methods to recognize features onbottom surfaces of metal containers on a metal container productionline, detect defects in the metal containers, and correlate the defectsto specific production equipment of the metal container production line,based in part on the recognized features, are disclosed. Imagingapparatus along with tracking and synchronization techniques foraccomplishing such correlation are described.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A system for associating a defective metal container produced on ametal container production line with particular production equipment ofsaid metal container production line, said system comprising: an encoderoperationally interfacing to a necker star wheel of said metal containerproduction line and adapted to generate a plurality of electric encoderpulses over the course of every revolution of said star wheel,indicating a current rotational position of said star wheel; a trackingdevice operationally interfacing to said encoder and adapted to generatea necker pocket identifier corresponding to a current pocket of saidnecker star wheel in response to said encoder pulses and to generate apart-identification code; at least one defect-detecting imagingapparatus mounted on said metal container production line and adapted todetect at least one type of defect occurring in said metal containers,one metal container at a time, and generate corresponding inspectioninformation as each said metal container passes by said at least onedefect-detecting imaging apparatus on said metal container productionline; a controller operationally interfacing to said at least onedefect-detecting imaging apparatus and adapted to trigger said at leastone defect-detecting imaging apparatus to acquire images and to generatesaid part-identification code in response to any of saiddefect-detecting imaging apparatus being triggered; and a correlatoroperationally interfacing to said tracking device and said at least onedefect-detecting imaging apparatus and adapted to receive said neckerpocket identifier and said inspection information and correlate saidreceived necker pocket identifier and said received inspectioninformation to a particular metal container based on saidpart-identification code.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said at leastone defect-detecting imaging apparatus includes: a camera; a lens beingoperationally attached to said camera to provide light to said camera; asource of illumination adapted to illuminate an interior portion of saidmetal containers; and a processor-based device adapted to process imagescaptured by said camera for determining any interior type defects andgenerating said corresponding inspection information.
 3. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said at least one defect-detecting imaging apparatusincludes: a camera; a lens being operationally attached to said camerato provide light to said camera; a source of illumination adapted toilluminate a neck portion of said metal containers; and aprocessor-based device adapted to process images captured by said camerafor determining any neck type defects and generating said correspondinginspection information.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said trackingdevice includes a processor-based device.
 5. The system of claim 1wherein said controller includes a processor-based device.
 6. The systemof claim 1 wherein said correlator includes a processor-based device. 7.The system of claim 1 wherein said inspection information comprisespass/fail information.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein said inspectioninformation comprises a quality level value.
 9. A method of associatinga defective metal container produced on a metal container productionline with particular production equipment of said metal containerproduction line, said method comprising: generating a current neckerpocket identifier corresponding to a current pocket of a neckerout-feeder star wheel holding a first metal container and incrementing afirst part-identification code of said necker out-feeder star wheel togenerate a first part-identification value, and associating said firstpart identification value with said current necker pocket identifier;triggering a first defect-detecting imaging apparatus to acquire a firstimage of said first metal container as said first metal container passesby said first defect-detecting imaging apparatus on said metal containerproduction line and incrementing a second part-identification code ofsaid first defect-detecting imaging apparatus to generate said samefirst part-identification value; detecting any of a first type of defectoccurring in said first metal container in response to said acquiredfirst image, generating corresponding first inspection information, andassociating said first inspection information for said first metalcontainer with said same first part-identification value; andcorrelating said current necker pocket identifier and said firstinspection information to said first metal container in response to saidassociated same first part-identification value.
 10. The method of claim9 further comprising: triggering a second defect-detecting imagingapparatus to acquire a second image of said first metal container assaid first metal container passes by said second defect-detectingimaging apparatus on said metal container production line andincrementing a third part-identification code of said seconddefect-detecting imaging apparatus to generate said same firstpart-identification value; detecting any of a second type of defectoccurring in said first metal container in response to said acquiredsecond image, generating corresponding second inspection information,and associating said second inspection information for said first metalcontainer with said same first part-identification value; andcorrelating said first necker pocket identifier, said first inspectioninformation, and said second inspection information to said first metalcontainer in response to said associated same first part-identificationvalue.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising: generating a nextnecker pocket identifier corresponding to a next pocket of a neckerout-feeder star wheel holding a second metal container and incrementingsaid first part-identification code of said necker out-feeder star wheelto generate a second part-identification value, and associating saidsecond part identification value with said next necker pocketidentifier; triggering said first defect-detecting imaging apparatus toacquire a third image of said second metal container as said secondmetal container passes by said first defect-detecting imaging apparatuson said metal container production line and incrementing said secondpart-identification code of said first defect-detecting imagingapparatus to generate said same second part-identification value;detecting any of said first type of defect occurring in said secondmetal container in response to said acquired third image, generatingcorresponding first inspection information, and associating said firstinspection information for said second metal container with said samesecond part-identification value; and correlating said next neckerpocket identifier and said first inspection information to said secondmetal container in response to said associated same secondpart-identification value.
 12. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising: triggering said second defect-detecting imaging apparatus toacquire a fourth image of said second metal container as said secondmetal container passes by said second defect-detecting imaging apparatuson said metal container production line and incrementing said thirdpart-identification code of said second defect-detecting imagingapparatus to generate said same second part-identification value;detecting any of said second type of defect occurring in said secondmetal container in response to said acquired fourth image, generatingcorresponding second inspection information, and associating said secondinspection information for said second metal container with said samesecond part-identification value; and correlating said next neckerpocket identifier, said first inspection information, and said secondinspection information to said second metal container in response tosaid associated same second part-identification value.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 wherein said first inspection information comprises a qualitylevel of an interior surface of said first metal container.
 14. Themethod of claim 12 wherein said second inspection information comprisesa quality level of a neck region of said first metal container.
 15. Themethod of claim 12 wherein said first inspection information and saidsecond inspection information comprise pass/fail information.
 16. Themethod of claim 12 further comprising: unintentionally or intentionallyeliminating a third metal container from said metal container productionline before determining if said third metal container has any defects,causing said metal container production line to go out ofsynchronization; generating a re-synchronization signal in order toinitiate re-synchronization of said production line; un-populating apre-determined number of contiguous metal container positions from aportion of said metal container production line in response to saidre-synchronization signal; and resetting all part-identification codesto a same initial part-identification code in response to saidun-populated pre-determined number of contiguous metal containerpositions traveling through said metal container production line. 17.The method of claim 16 wherein a sensor on said necker out-feeder starwheel determines when said un-populated pre-determined number ofcontiguous metal container positions have passed through said metalcontainer production line.
 18. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising: generating a current necker pocket identifier correspondingto a current pocket of said necker out-feeder star wheel holding afourth metal container and incrementing a first part-identification codeof said necker out-feeder star wheel to generate said firstpart-identification value, and associating said first partidentification value with said current necker pocket identifier;triggering said first defect-detecting imaging apparatus to acquire afifth image of said fourth metal container as said fourth metalcontainer passes by said first defect-detecting imaging apparatus onsaid metal container production line and incrementing said secondpart-identification code to generate said same first part-identificationvalue; detecting any of said first type of defect occurring in saidfourth metal container in response to said acquired fifth image,generating corresponding first inspection information, and associatingsaid first inspection information for said fourth metal container withsaid same first part-identification code; and correlating said currentnecker pocket identifier and said first inspection information to saidfourth metal container in response to said associated same firstpart-identification value.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprisingaccumulating said correlated information of said first metal containerinto statistical data and displaying said statistical data on a display.20. The method of claim 18 further comprising accumulating saidcorrelated information of said first metal container and said secondmetal container into statistical data and displaying said statisticaldata on a display.
 21. The method of claim 18 further comprisingaccumulating said correlated information of said first metal container,said second metal container, and said fourth metal container intostatistical data and displaying said statistical data on a display. 22.A method of associating a defective metal container produced on a metalcontainer production line with particular production equipment of saidmetal container production line, said method comprising: (a) generatinga first part-identification code when a metal container is modified by afirst production equipment on a metal container production line; (b)generating a second part-identification code when said metal containeris inspected by a defect-detecting imaging apparatus on said metalcontainer production line to generate inspection information of saidmetal container, wherein a value of said second part-identification codeis the same as a value of said first part-identification code due tosynchronization of said metal container production line; and (c)correlating said first production equipment and said inspectioninformation to said metal container based on said same value of saidfirst part-identification code and said second part-identification code.23. The method of claim 22 further comprising: repeating the methodsteps (a)-(c) for a plurality of successive metal containers on saidmetal container production line; and generating statistical defectinformation corresponding to said first production equipment.